IPG Media Labhttp://www.ipglab.com
IPG Media Lab is where marketers and our agencies go to discover and learn about their futureFri, 31 Jul 2015 22:03:02 +0000en-UShourly1How Deep-Link-Enabled Partnerships Are Changing The Mobile Ecosystemhttp://www.ipglab.com/2015/07/31/how-deep-link-enabled-partnerships-are-revolutionizing-the-mobile-ecosystem/
http://www.ipglab.com/2015/07/31/how-deep-link-enabled-partnerships-are-revolutionizing-the-mobile-ecosystem/#commentsFri, 31 Jul 2015 20:44:23 +0000http://www.ipglab.com/?p=13018What Happened StubHub has teamed up with Uber to generate some cross-app synergy. Now event-goers will be able to book an Uber ride directly from StubHub’s mobile apps after purchasing […]]]>

What Brands Should DoEither through open API or third-party deep-linking solution, Uber is clearly working to put its service conveniently anywhere people may need it. Such an approach has certainly helped expand Uber’s reach, and it is something that most brands can learn from. The key here, though, is to figure out where your product or services are needed, whom your brand should be partnered with, and how to create a deep-linking solution that is user-friendly and efficient – all of which the Lab are happy to help you with. Come visit us if you need help understanding the ever-evolving mobile ecosystem and finding the suitable partnerships.

]]>http://www.ipglab.com/2015/07/31/how-deep-link-enabled-partnerships-are-revolutionizing-the-mobile-ecosystem/feed/0CVS Taps Into IBM’s Watson For Smart Health Monitoringhttp://www.ipglab.com/2015/07/31/cvs-taps-into-ibms-watson-for-smart-health-monitoring/
http://www.ipglab.com/2015/07/31/cvs-taps-into-ibms-watson-for-smart-health-monitoring/#commentsFri, 31 Jul 2015 20:43:27 +0000http://www.ipglab.com/?p=13016What Happened CVS Health has announced a new partnership with IBM to tap into its Watson computing system to help analyze and interpret health data from patient’s health records, pharmacy […]]]>

What HappenedCVS Health has announced a new partnership with IBM to tap into its Watson computing system to help analyze and interpret health data from patient’s health records, pharmacy information and other resources. The goal is said to be leveraging Watson’s cognitive computing power to aid CVS Health nurses and pharmacists, as well as improving healthcare management and prevention for patients with chronic diseases.

What Brands Should DoFor heathcare and pharmaceutical brands, it has become increasingly crucial to keep up with the new opportunities that technologies, especially advances in mobile devices and biometric sensors, presents. Apple recently gave the go ahead to for-profit use of its ResearchKit, which can be utilized to scale data acquisition and facilitate medical trials. For brands of all types, it’d be smart to look into the cognitive capability of Watson and other machine learning services, which can provide new solutions in analyzing and understanding customer data.

What HappenedBMW has added in-car gesture control to its new 2016 BMW 7 Series. Enabled by 3D sensors installed on the car ceiling above the center console, the new feature will track hand motions to enable convenient shortcuts for changing the volume, taking phone calls, and other simple in-car commands, all without drivers taking their eyes off the road.

What Brands Should DoWith this new feature, BMW is embracing motion-sensing gesture control, a new advanced interface for its in-car systems that are currently dominated by touch screens and voice control. For brands, especially those exploring connected cars and home automation, figuring out the right interface that provides the most user-friendly experiences while enhancing driver safety should be a top priority.
Source: Bloomberg

]]>http://www.ipglab.com/2015/07/31/new-bmw-7-series-debuts-gesture-control/feed/0There’s Now An Artificial Town For Testing Driverless Carshttp://www.ipglab.com/2015/07/30/theres-now-an-artificial-town-for-testing-driverless-cars/
http://www.ipglab.com/2015/07/30/theres-now-an-artificial-town-for-testing-driverless-cars/#commentsThu, 30 Jul 2015 21:35:24 +0000http://www.ipglab.com/?p=12999What Happened Autonomous car researchers at the University of Michigan, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation and private companies, have created an entirely artificial town that sprawls 32 […]]]>

What HappenedAutonomous car researchers at the University of Michigan, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation and private companies, have created an entirely artificial town that sprawls 32 acres, providing a controlled and highly malleable environment for testing driverless cars. Officially named “Mcity”, the fake town features moveable facades that can easily be arranged in all sorts of road conditions from blind corners to odd intersections, providing an ideal “simulated urban and suburban environment” for testing.

What Brands Should DoMcity is back with million-dollar investments from auto companies like Nissan, Toyota, Ford, GM, and Honda, who all have direct stakes in the development of autonomous vehicles. Yet, brands from other industry verticals like State Farm, Verizon, and Xerox are also invested in this fake town, presumably for their interest in this field. Although not immediately actionable for most brands, this artificial city nevertheless signals the acceleration of developing driverless cars and the impact it will have on adjacent industries such as car insurance and in-car communications, as well as the steps some companies are taking to get ahead of competitors.

]]>http://www.ipglab.com/2015/07/30/theres-now-an-artificial-town-for-testing-driverless-cars/feed/0Amazon Starts Selling Dash Buttons For $4.99 A Piecehttp://www.ipglab.com/2015/07/30/amazon-starts-selling-dash-buttons-for-4-99-a-piece/
http://www.ipglab.com/2015/07/30/amazon-starts-selling-dash-buttons-for-4-99-a-piece/#commentsThu, 30 Jul 2015 21:32:23 +0000http://www.ipglab.com/?p=12995What Happened The much-hyped Amazon Dash Buttons are finally here, available for all Prime members to purchase at $4.99 a piece. Back when it first launched four months ago, the […]]]>

What HappenedThe much-hyped Amazon Dash Buttons are finally here, available for all Prime members to purchase at $4.99 a piece. Back when it first launched four months ago, the bluetooth-enabled gadgets were initially offered for free to select Prime members by invitation only.

What Brands Should DoAs of now, there are 18 different branded Dash Buttons available, with nearly all of them created for household products. This means there is still many other CPG categories that could benefit greatly from putting out their own physical buy buttons to cultivate a long-term relationship with consumers that encourages habitual re-purchase. CPG brands should consider partnering with Amazon soon in order to gain the first-mover advantage.

]]>http://www.ipglab.com/2015/07/30/amazon-starts-selling-dash-buttons-for-4-99-a-piece/feed/0CBS To Bundle Broadcast And Streaming Ad Sales For Super Bowlhttp://www.ipglab.com/2015/07/30/cbs-to-bundle-broadcast-and-streaming-ad-sales-for-super-bowl/
http://www.ipglab.com/2015/07/30/cbs-to-bundle-broadcast-and-streaming-ad-sales-for-super-bowl/#commentsThu, 30 Jul 2015 21:04:08 +0000http://www.ipglab.com/?p=12992What Happened CBS has confirmed its plan to sell all national ad spots for next year’s Super Bowl as a package deal with its corresponding stream’s ad units during the […]]]>

What HappenedCBS has confirmed its plan to sell all national ad spots for next year’s Super Bowl as a package deal with its corresponding stream’s ad units during the game. CBS will not allow advertisers to opt out of the latter, which are conventionally sold separately from the broadcast units. As a result, all national ads that plays during the game will be live-streamed as well.

CBS’s decision may set an important precedent and become common. “We expect bundling of broadcast and streaming ad sales to catch on, at least for the sports events that draw sizeable live audiences that are the most important and attractive for advertisers,” says Brian Hughes, SVP, Audience Analysis Practice Lead at Magna Global. “This approach unifies the viewer experience across platforms, and simplifies both the sales process and the viewership metrics which, for these events, are based on reach, not targeting.”

]]>http://www.ipglab.com/2015/07/30/cbs-to-bundle-broadcast-and-streaming-ad-sales-for-super-bowl/feed/0Amazon Cozies Up To Startups With Launchpadhttp://www.ipglab.com/2015/07/29/amazon-cozies-up-to-startups-with-launchpad/
http://www.ipglab.com/2015/07/29/amazon-cozies-up-to-startups-with-launchpad/#commentsWed, 29 Jul 2015 20:43:58 +0000http://www.ipglab.com/?p=12983What Happened Earlier this week, Amazon unveiled Launchpad, a specialty store on its main website that aims to help startups, specifically those with innovative, consumer-facing hardware and physical goods, “launch, […]]]>

What HappenedEarlier this week, Amazon unveiled Launchpad, a specialty store on its main website that aims to help startups, specifically those with innovative, consumer-facing hardware and physical goods, “launch, market, and distribute” new products. Similar to existing platforms like Product Hunt or Shopify, Launchpad marks Amazon’s first big move to pursue a symbiotic partnership with new product companies, in which the startups gain a strong marketer and distributor for their products, while Amazon gets a share of the innovative sheen, and, of course, the profits.

What Brands Should DoBrands in the innovation space, especially those that are seeking scale, should consider this new platform offered by the ecommerce giant. Meanwhile, consumer gadget retailers like Best Buy and Brookstone need to take relevant measures to address the potential threats Launchpad could introduce to the market.

]]>http://www.ipglab.com/2015/07/29/amazon-cozies-up-to-startups-with-launchpad/feed/0Meerkat Debuts Original Content With Al Roker-Fronted Cooking Serieshttp://www.ipglab.com/2015/07/29/meerkat-debuts-original-content-with-al-roker-fronted-cooking-series/
http://www.ipglab.com/2015/07/29/meerkat-debuts-original-content-with-al-roker-fronted-cooking-series/#commentsWed, 29 Jul 2015 20:43:24 +0000http://www.ipglab.com/?p=12986What Happened Meerkat, the popular live-streaming app that broke out at this year’s SXSW, has been consciously diversifying its content offering, partnering up with cable channels like CMT and Discovery […]]]>

What HappenedMeerkat, the popular live-streaming app that broke out at this year’s SXSW, has been consciously diversifying its content offering, partnering up with cable channels like CMT and Discovery for exclusive behind-the-scene looks. Now, it is ready to venture into and encourage original content with a three-part cooking series starring well-known TV personality Al Roker, a noted early Meerkat adopter.

What Brands Should DoAlready, several brands in various industries, including entertainment, sports, and automobile, have been eagerly experimenting with live-streaming on Meerkat and Periscope to reach today’s mobile-first, instant gratification-seeking consumers. Earlier last month, Nestlé became the first brand to run a paid campaign on Periscope, hiring social influencers to promote its Drumstick ice cream cone in their live streams. As the platform continues to grow and add more brand-friendly features, brands of all types would be wise to start to develop livestreaming strategies and explore the nascent platform.

]]>http://www.ipglab.com/2015/07/29/meerkat-debuts-original-content-with-al-roker-fronted-cooking-series/feed/0Facebook Debuts New VR Short For Oculus Rifthttp://www.ipglab.com/2015/07/29/facebook-debuts-new-vr-short-for-oculus-rift/
http://www.ipglab.com/2015/07/29/facebook-debuts-new-vr-short-for-oculus-rift/#commentsWed, 29 Jul 2015 20:38:19 +0000http://www.ipglab.com/?p=12981What Happened Earlier today, Facebook unveiled the first original VR experience produced for Oculus Rift, its first consumer-facing virtual reality headset. Henry, a 10-minute-long animation short created by a former […]]]>

What HappenedEarlier today, Facebook unveiled the first original VR experience produced for Oculus Rift, its first consumer-facing virtual reality headset. Henry, a 10-minute-long animation short created by a former Pixar alum, is among several original narratives that will be made available on Oculus Rift when it launches in early 2016. Similarly, Samsung announced earlier this month that it has teamed up with Skybound Entertainment, to produce a VR horror series exclusively for its Gear VR headsets.

What Brands Should DoAs more and more media owners and brands start producing original content for the VR platform, it is important for brands seeking to immersively engage with its audience to start creating branded VR content now to stay ahead of the curve. For instance, subscription-based beauty e-retailer Birchbox is adding Google Cardboard in their monthly offers to treat its customers to some branded VR experiences. Besides, brands can also team up with media owners and content creators to help produce their own VR content.

]]>http://www.ipglab.com/2015/07/29/facebook-debuts-new-vr-short-for-oculus-rift/feed/0Why Verizon Is Launching Its Own Streaming Service Go90http://www.ipglab.com/2015/07/28/why-verizon-is-launching-its-own-streaming-service-go90/
http://www.ipglab.com/2015/07/28/why-verizon-is-launching-its-own-streaming-service-go90/#commentsTue, 28 Jul 2015 18:09:32 +0000http://www.ipglab.com/?p=12971What Happened Verizon is reportedly getting ready to launch its own mobile-first, video streaming service named Go90 this summer, which will allow users to stream full episodes of TV shows […]]]>

What HappenedVerizon is reportedly getting ready to launch its own mobile-first, video streaming service named Go90 this summer, which will allow users to stream full episodes of TV shows from selected networks as well as music videos and other short-form content. Sources claim that Verizon will offer the service entirely free of charge, at least initially. Some of the content that Verizon gained through the recent AOL acquisition will also be added to the service.

What Brands Should DoVerizon has long been making good use of the vast amount of consumer data gathered through its wireless service., including app usage and web browsing habits. That, coupled with the ad tech that AOL owns, could offer brands strong ad targeting tools on Go90’s ad-supported platform. Admittedly, it may be too early to tell if Go90 will be able to attract enough users that warrants brands’ attention. Nethertheless, brands need to be mindful of the great advertising potential it has.